For some exhibitors, Warrick County 4-H Fair is a family tradition | VIDEO

Haley Baker washes off “Jango” while helping a friend as 4-H members set up at the Warrick County 4-H Center.

2014 Jason Clark / Evansville Courier & Press

JASON CLARK / COURIER & PRESS
Adrienne Rudolph, 14, cuddles up with a 6-month-old baby goat named “Stella” in the livestock barn as 4-H members set up at the Warrick County 4-H Center in Boonville during the Warrick County 4-H Fair on Monday.

2014 Jason Clark / Evansville Courier & Press

Photos by JASON CLARK / COURIER & PRESS
Pam Lawrence, left, and Devona Heuring work together as they relocate some ducks in the rabbit and poultry barn Monday as 4-H members set up at the Warrick County 4-H Center in Boonville during the Warrick County 4-H Fair. Rides, exhibits, motor-cross and live entertainment kicked off at the fair Monday and continues through Saturday.

2014 Jason Clark / Evansville Courier & Press

BOONVILLE, Ind. - For 11-year-old Allydale Downey, showing livestock at the Warrick County 4-H Fair isn't just part of a summer week of fun — it's a family tradition.

The Warrick fair kicked off Monday with 4-H members bringing in their animals — from cattle and swine to chickens and fuzzy sheep. 4-H members were able to get a look at what their projects placed, including whether their work would move on to the state fair. There was also a motocross race Monday evening in the arena.

4-H member Downey, who is part of the Southside 4-H Club, said this is her third year for showing cattle at the fair, but has been showing in different open class competitions in Indiana and Kentucky since she was 4 years old.

And has loved it ever since.

"My parents were both 10-year members, all my sisters were 10-year members," she said, "and I wasn't going to break the continuous line."

Downey, who will be attending Boonville Middle School in the fall, is showing a Charolais-cross steer, R.J., and a Charolais heifer, Ruby, in this year's fair. She also shows pigs. She said her three sisters also brought sheep to the fair when they were in 4-H.

She said 4-H is more than just an organization for students to complete projects and show livestock.

"This is where most of the people in 4-H get all of their friends," she said. "You know, I've learned to meet people, I've learned to come out of my shell. You get to know people and you get to have fun."

Elizabeth Rudolph, who has been a part of Warrick County 4-H for more than 40 years, works with students through various programs and scholarship awards.

"The 4-H program is extremely important because we are one of the only experiential learning programs that exist. We focus a lot on leadership skills. Teaching life skills is our main job," she said.

The hands-on learning is invaluable for students involved in the program, she said.

"They're picking up skills they need to be successful young people and adults," she said.

The Warrick County 4-H Center board and the Purdue Extension office organize and run the fair each year as a joint team.

There are about 20 4-H clubs in Warrick County — with more than 450 4-H members and about 100 Exploring 4-H members, who are in grades K — 2.

Amanda Mosiman, a Purdue Extension educator and liaison with the Center board, said there are also more than 100 volunteers that work the fair, who help with parking, judging and running ticket booths.

"We reach all kinds of kids, and all levels of kids," Rudolph said. "You can pick your own place in 4-H."

Four-H members have the opportunity to not only show horses, livestock and small animals, but they also can show off their skills and interests in other areas.

Students can complete projects — from sports information research and detailed Lego structures, to complicated sewing projects and photography posters — and have the chance to compete among other 4-H'ers at the local fair, as well as on a state and national level.

Cecelia Mehling, who is the leader for Lakeside 4-H Club and one of the adult supervisors for Junior Leaders, said the organization helps students prepare not only for school and postsecondary education — but also prepare for life.

"It teaches leadership and giving back," she said. "With our programs like Junior Leaders, we do a service project every month, along with our fun stuff. They're seeing the needs of others."

She said Junior Leaders are a group of 4-H members in grades 7 — 12 who work on additional projects, learn about leadership and management skills, and take a more involved role in fair and 4-H events. Some of their service projects have included Christmas shopping for children in need, assisting in a coat drive for children and running a canned-food drive for a local food pantry.

"Our kids have opportunities to do teaching activities with younger 4-H'ers through workshops," Rudolph said. "The members do teaching demonstrations and public speaking. 4-H is just one of the premier youth programs in the nation."

The fair, which runs through Saturday, features a new Kids' Fun Day tailored to grade schoolchildren with activities and fair rides that open early.

Fairgoers can also experience the midway from a bird's-eye view with a zip line — available to ride after 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The cost to ride the zip line is $5.

Mosiman said the zip line is the same one used in Indianapolis during the Super Bowl Village festivities.

The complete fair schedule is available online at warrickcounty4hcenter.com, then click on "2014 Fair Schedule." It is $2 per person for general admission and parking.